Sasser: First step in abating zebra mussels is awareness

This just in from the “about time department,” sometimes known as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The state agency is asking for public comment on a proposal to require draining water from boats, powered or otherwise, before they are moved from any public fresh waters of Texas.

This is about stopping the further spread of zebra mussels. Aside from a growing population of humans using a depleting water supply, zebra mussels may yet prove the state’s biggest water-related challenge.

Their presence will make it more difficult and more costly for municipal water authorities to move water from lakes to city water systems. Zebra mussels are believed to have hitched a ride from Eurasia to the Great Lakes in cargo ship ballast water.

They showed up in Lake St. Clair, east of Detroit, in 1988, and spread throughout the Great Lakes. Barge traffic along navigable waterways expedited the zebra mussel expansion, and recreational boaters took over from there. Zebra mussels have been documented in 29 states, including some places they were never supposed to reach — Utah and California, for example — more than 600 lakes in all, from the Canadian border to southern Louisiana.

Since becoming established at Lake Texoma in 2009, zebra mussels have spread to Lakes Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Bridgeport and Belton.

Once zebra mussels are established, there is no current method to eradicate them. The rules are written to slow the zebra mussel expansion. The invasive mussels found in Lakes Bridgeport and Belton were probably moved by recreational boaters. Bridgeport is on the West Fork of the Trinity River. Belton is on the Leon River.

Left to their own devices, zebra mussels are not exactly nomadic. They can spread downstream as larvae going with the flow, but they can’t move to another watershed without help. Not only do they threaten human water supplies, they are a threat to the aquatic food chain.

The original 17-county mandatory zebra mussel restrictions were outdated as soon as they were mandated in December 2013. By March, the number of counties in the mandate had spread to 47, and now the proposal is statewide. TPWD’s nine-member commission is expected to take action on the proposal May 22. If passed, the regulation could become effective by July.

TPWD law enforcement division assistant commander Brandi Reeder said the agency prefers an educational effort to an enforcement effort in an evolving situation. Reeder said no citations have been written for violation of existing rules.

“The majority of the boating public is more than willing to drain water when leaving a water body, as requested,” Reeder said.

TPWD’s fisheries division and the city of Waco hired interns last summer to watch what happened at boat ramps and survey boaters on Lakes Ray Roberts, Lewisville and Waco. This was before zebra mussel regulations were mandatory.

They found 99 percent of Ray Roberts boaters knew about the zebra mussels threat and 98 percent practiced Clean, Drain and Dry (CDD) measures. At Lewisville, 94 percent were aware and practiced CDD. At Lake Waco, awareness numbers dropped to about 75 percent. Similar surveys are planned for the coming summer.

Public comment regarding statewide zebra mussel regulations can be made at tpwd.texas.gov, or via e-mail to ken.kurzawski@tpwd.texas.gov. All boaters should educate themselves on this issue at texasinvasives.org.

Nobody has been issued a ticket, but violation of the rules is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $500, plus court costs. Ecological costs are undetermined.

THURSDAY, MAY 8: Dallas Woods and Waters Club monthly dinner meeting with program by Roy Wilsono, Krooked River Ranch Outfitters/Texas Best Outfitters. Details and reservations at 214-570-8700 or e-mail info@dwwcc.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 9: CASA of Denton County 14th Annual Pulling for Kids Sporting Clays Tournament at the Dallas Gun Club. Proceeds benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. Register, sponsor or make a donation at casadenton.org or call Lara Willner 940-243-2272, extension 112.

Weekend tip

Fishing for white bass (sand bass) is hot on North Texas lakes. Royce Simmons of Gone Fishin’ Guide Service on Richlands Chambers Lake said that one week ago, he had took two clients in the morning, and they caught limits of sand bass (25 apiece) in two hours, then went hybrid fishing. That afternoon, his clients limited on sandies in one hour, then went crappie fishing.

It’s the same story from veteran guide Johnny Procell. Procell said the sand bass bite is so good at Lake Ray Hubbard that he counted 39 boats Saturday afternoon, and it seemed like everyone was catching big sandies with a few hybrid stripers mixed in.

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